Google Assistant Go now on Play Store

“Google Assistant Go is now available on the Play Store, and this version of the app is compatible with all Android Go smartphones. ”

Google announced the Android Go initiative last year in May at I/O. A less intensive version of the OS optimized for cheap phones with little RAM. This was launched in December and to go with it we’ve seen many Google apps get the Go treatment to make them smaller and less memory-hungry.

Apps like Google Maps Go, YouTube Go, Google Go and Gboard Go are all designed to get the best performance out of the low-cost devices that are popular in emerging markets. There’s even a brand new app called Files Go that can help you declutter your phone and help maintain a healthy amount of free storage. The latest to join the ranks is the Google Assistant Go app.

Google Assistant Go is now available on the Play Store, and this version of the app is compatible with all Android Go smartphones. In India, Google has announced partnerships with Micromax and MediaTek to launch Android Go smartphones. Android Go is the internal name for Android Oreo, refined for budget phones.

Google plans to make Go versions of most of its popular apps. Google Go, Google Maps Go, YouTube Go are all already on the Play Store and the Assistant is the latest to join the list of apps. These apps will be compatible only with phones running on Android Go or Android Oreo designed for budget phones. Micromax has already announced Bharat Go, which will be an Android Go phone and priced under Rs 2000 when it launches.

Like its siblings, Assistant Go offers a similar experience with a much smaller footprint. Compared with the full Assistant app, there are certain things the Go version can’t do. The option for setting reminders, controlling smart home devices, device actions and actions on Google is not supported by the Google Assistant for Android Go edition

But, you will still be able to rely on Google Assistant for making hands free calls, listen to music, ask for directions, send text messages, preview upcoming events as well. This version of the app will also provide updates on weather information.

Although Google Assistant Go only supports the English language for now. Given that the Android Go version is targeted at markets like India and is supposed to be on phones for under $100, extending language support will be crucial. Google just rolled out Hindi language support for the Assistant on its regular version of the app, so hopefully, it will be extended to the Go version as well.

So there are still plenty good reasons to download it. When a compatible device like the Micromax Bharat Go (India) is available you’ll be able to give it a go.